With 10,000 construction jobs created, 2,000 permanent jobs, $250 million in annual economic impact projected to the region and $1.6 billion in new tax revenue over the next 30 years, I'd say, 'Jets, welcome home!'

We had a lot of seniors last year and this season, we lost eight starters to graduation. I think that this team is very young, and we as a team and as individuals have a lot of room for improvement. They know that, and are looking forward to getting better each day.

We earn a good income and we negotiate pensions and health care in virtually every public and private sector of today's city economy, ... Those are all indicative a labor movement that is alive and kicking.

I put together a meeting with all of the disaffiliated principals and we reached an agreement that they will be marching in our Labor Day Parade, ... The unity that we have gives us a better opportunity to survive this. I look at the glass half full — this disaffiliation is temporary and its also a healthy debate for us to have.

The labor movement — especially in Queens County — is strong, as evidenced in the great strides that labor has made with future union members — new Americans, ... We're doing a great job of organizing and it's reflecting in our numbers. New York's union membership is actually up, despite the national membership shrinking.

It can be emotional, because you want to help as much as you can, but you have to work within the guidelines, ... I've shed tears after I've helped victims, but only when I'm done helping them and I speak with other case workers. You want to be a source of strength for your clients.